Residential Visitation

Visitation Policy & Procedure

Bishop Grady Villas (Assisted Living Facility)

Magnify of Central Florida

1. Scope

Bishop Grady Villas (the “Facility”) is a Standard Assisted Living Facility (ALF) licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The Facility is owned and operated by Bishop Grady Villas, Inc. Bishop Grady Villas, Inc. holds the Florida-registered fictitious name “Magnify of Central Florida” for external branding. For AHCA licensure and compliance purposes, this policy uses the Facility’s licensed name, Bishop Grady Villas.

This policy applies to all residents and to all visitors (including family, friends, legal representatives, advocates, clergy, and other persons of the resident’s choosing), as well as designated essential caregivers, staff, volunteers, and contractors who participate in or support visitation. This policy applies during routine operations and during emergencies or outbreaks of communicable disease.

2. Policy Statement and Resident Rights

Bishop Grady Villas supports each resident’s right to visitation and private communication consistent with resident rights and applicable assisted living requirements.

2.1 Minimum visiting hours and private communication

At a minimum, the Facility provides residents the right to unrestricted private communication, including receiving and sending unopened correspondence, access to a telephone, and visitation with any person of the resident’s choice at any time between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

2.2 Number of visitors and length of visits

During routine operations, Bishop Grady Villas does not set a minimum number of visitors and does not set a fixed maximum number of visitors per resident at one time. The Facility also does not set a fixed time limit for visits. Visitation may be managed based on resident preference, privacy, available space, and safety considerations.

During a covered emergency or communicable disease outbreak, the Facility may temporarily implement reasonable limits on the number of visitors on campus at one time and/or the length and location of visits based on the ability to screen and monitor visitors and the availability of space. Any temporary limits will be applied in a manner that preserves resident rights and the minimum visiting hours described in Section 2.1.

2.3 Resident choice and restriction of specific visitors

A resident (or the resident’s legal representative, if applicable) may restrict access to specific visitors by name by submitting a written request to the Administrator. Any such restriction will be documented in the resident’s record and, when applicable, in the resident’s person-centered plan.

2.4 Vaccination / immunization status

Visitors will not be compelled to show or provide proof of vaccination or immunization status as a condition of visitation.

2.5 Consensual physical contact

Consensual physical contact between a resident and a visitor is permitted.

2.6 Overnight guests

Overnight guests are prohibited, except where otherwise permitted by a specific written agreement or plan authorized by the Administrator and consistent with resident rights and safety.

2.7 Responsible staff designation

The Assisted Living Administrator, or designee, is responsible for ensuring staff adherence to this visitation policy and procedure.

2.8 Policy availability and regulatory submission

This visitation policy and procedure will be made easily accessible from the Facility’s website homepage within 24 hours after establishment or revision. The Facility will provide a copy to AHCA as required for initial licensure, licensure renewal, and change of ownership.

3. Standard Visitation Procedures (Routine Operations)

3.1 General visiting hours

General visiting hours are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. Upon request, the Facility will make provisions to extend visiting hours for caregivers, out-of-town guests, and in other similar situations, when reasonable and consistent with resident preference, privacy, staffing, and safety.

3.2 Optional advance notice

Scheduled visitation is optional when visitation is not restricted. Visitors may call or email the Lead Direct Support Professionals to announce their visit to help ensure the resident will be on the property.

·       Phone: 321-624-4398

·       Email: villaleads@bishopgradyvillas.org

3.3 Sign-in / sign-out

Immediately upon arrival, all visitors must sign in using the vPass kiosk located in the Administration Office or Dorsey Hall. All visitors must sign out using the vPass kiosk at the conclusion of the visit.

3.4 Location of visits and privacy

Visits may occur in a resident’s room or in other areas designated by the Facility, consistent with the resident’s preference and privacy. The Facility will not monitor or supervise visitation except as requested by the resident or when necessary to maintain safety.

4. Infection Prevention, Screening, Visitor Education, and PPE

Bishop Grady Villas maintains infection prevention and control practices to protect residents, visitors, and staff. Visitor-related infection control measures may be adjusted based on resident needs, communicable disease activity, and guidance from public health authorities. Any safety-related visitation requirements will not be more stringent than those required of staff performing comparable duties in the Facility.

4.1 Visitor education

Visitors will be informed of applicable infection prevention and control expectations (e.g., hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and respecting resident preferences for distance). Education may be provided through posted signage, written instructions, and/or verbal instruction by staff.

4.2 Screening

When indicated (including during periods of increased communicable disease activity), visitors may be screened prior to entry. Screening may include questions about symptoms, recent illness or exposure, and other factors relevant to communicable disease prevention.

The Facility may deny entry to a visitor who does not pass screening, except that alternative methods of contact (phone/video) will be offered and, when applicable, the Facility will work with the resident and the visitor to arrange safe in-person visitation consistent with resident rights.

4.3 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

When PPE is indicated by the Facility’s infection prevention and control practices (or by a resident’s treating health care practitioner), visitors may be required to use PPE appropriate to the circumstances. PPE requirements will be communicated to the visitor prior to or upon entry.

During infectious disease outbreaks, designated essential caregivers will use the same level of PPE that staff use when providing care or services to that resident, unless otherwise directed by the Registered Nurse or Administrator.

5. Covered Emergencies, Communicable Disease Outbreaks, and Essential Caregiver Visitation

A covered emergency may include a natural disaster, an infectious disease outbreak, or another event that requires the Facility to implement enhanced infection control measures or temporarily restrict visitation to protect resident health and safety. Any temporary restriction will be implemented in the least restrictive manner practicable and consistent with resident rights.

5.1 Communication of restrictions

When visitation is restricted, the Administrator, or designee, will promptly notify residents and families/responsible parties of the reason for the restriction and the procedures for visitation during the restriction. Procedures will also be posted on the Facility’s website and/or provided by email.

5.2 Temporary limits on visitors and locations

During a covered emergency or outbreak, the Administrator may temporarily limit the total number of visitors on campus at any given time based on the ability of staff to safely screen and monitor visitors and the availability of space. The Administrator may also identify specific locations for visitation (e.g., outdoor covered areas, courtyards, patios, or designated indoor spaces) to reduce transmission risk while preserving resident privacy.

5.3 Essential caregiver designation

Each resident may designate one essential caregiver who will continue to have in-person access to support the resident during timeframes when general visitation is restricted, unless the resident objects. The Facility will maintain the designation in the resident’s record. Designation as an essential caregiver does not require the individual to provide care, and the Facility will not require an essential caregiver to provide such care.

Essential caregiver visits may be scheduled during restricted visitation periods. The Facility will allow essential caregiver visitation for at least two (2) hours daily, and visitation will be available between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at a minimum.

5.4 Required in-person visitation circumstances

The Facility’s visitation policies and procedures allow in-person visitation in all of the following circumstances, unless the resident objects:

·       1. End-of-life situations.

·       2. A resident who was living with family before admission is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.

·       3. The resident is making one or more major medical decisions.

·       4. A resident is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.

·       5. A resident needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.

·       6. A resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.

·       7. For hospitals, childbirth, including labor and delivery. (Not applicable to assisted living facilities.)

·       8. Pediatric patients. (Not applicable to assisted living facilities.)

5.5 Visits when a resident is quarantined, symptomatic, or positive

If a resident is quarantined, symptomatic, tested positive for a communicable disease, or is otherwise on isolation precautions, the Facility may still permit essential caregiver visitation and other required in-person visitation, consistent with resident rights, provided that appropriate screening and PPE precautions can be maintained.

5.6 Training for essential caregivers

Before the first essential caregiver visit during a restricted visitation period, the essential caregiver will receive training on infection prevention and control practices, including PPE use (if applicable), hand hygiene, and any additional precautions required by the Facility. Training will be provided by the Registered Nurse or the Administrator’s designee.

6. Enforcement and Suspension of Visitation

Bishop Grady Villas may suspend in-person visitation for a visitor who violates Facility policies and procedures, including infection prevention and control requirements, after attempts to mitigate concerns when feasible. If an essential caregiver’s visitation privileges are restricted or revoked, the resident may designate a different essential caregiver upon completing required documentation and acknowledgements.

7. Exhibits

Exhibit A: Resident Essential Caregiver Designation Form

I, ____________________________________

(resident/legal representative), designate

____________________________________

(visitor) as the essential caregiver for

____________________________________

(resident).

In making this designation, I understand and consent that:

·       Essential caregiver visits are subject to Bishop Grady Villas’ visitation procedures, including screening and infection prevention and control requirements.

·       During periods of restricted visitation, essential caregiver visits may be scheduled based on current conditions, and will be allowed for at least two (2) hours daily.

·       In-person visitation will be available between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at a minimum, unless the resident objects.

·       At most one essential caregiver may be designated per resident at a time.

·       The resident may object to or decline a visit at any time, including during required in-person visitation circumstances.

·       The Facility will not require an essential caregiver (or any visitor) to provide proof of vaccination or immunization status.

·       Designation as an essential caregiver does not require the individual to provide care, and the Facility will not require an essential caregiver to provide such care.

Resident or Legal Representative Name: ____________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Date: ________________

Administrator Name: _____________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Date: ________________

Exhibit B: Essential Caregiver Acknowledgement

I, ____________________________________, accept the designation as an essential caregiver for

____________________________________ (resident). I understand that:

·       My visits are subject to Bishop Grady Villas’ visitation procedures and infection prevention and control requirements. I agree to follow all instructions provided by staff.

·       I understand that I am not required to provide care as an essential caregiver, and the Facility will not require me to provide such care.

·       During restricted visitation periods, my visits may be scheduled and may occur in the resident’s room or a designated area determined by the Administrator.

·       I will be allowed in-person visitation for at least two (2) hours daily during restricted visitation, and visitation will be available between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at a minimum, unless the resident objects.

·       I will utilize PPE as determined by Bishop Grady Villas based on current conditions and the resident’s health status, and I will follow hand hygiene and other infection prevention measures.

·       I will immediately notify Bishop Grady Villas if I develop symptoms consistent with a communicable disease within 24 hours after a visit or if I test positive for a communicable disease within fourteen (14) days after a visit.

·       My essential caregiver visitation privileges may be restricted or revoked for failure to follow Facility policies and procedures.

Designated Essential Caregiver Name: ____________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Date: ________________

Resident or Legal Representative Name: ____________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Date: ________________

Acknowledgement of Receipt

I acknowledge receiving a copy of Bishop Grady Villas’ Visitation Policy and Procedure.

Resident Name: ____________________________________

Resident Signature: ____________________________________

Date: ________________

Legal Representative Name (if applicable): _______________________________

Legal Representative Signature: _________________________________   

Date: ________________